Low Life Expectancy in the United States: Is the Health Care System at Fault?

48 Pages Posted: 11 Aug 2009 Last revised: 27 Jul 2024

See all articles by Samuel H. Preston

Samuel H. Preston

University of Pennsylvania - Population Studies Center

Jessica Y. Ho

Population Studies Center

Date Written: August 2009

Abstract

Life expectancy in the United States fares poorly in international comparisons, primarily because of high mortality rates above age 50. Its low ranking is often blamed on a poor performance by the health care system rather than on behavioral or social factors. This paper presents evidence on the relative performance of the US health care system using death avoidance as the sole criterion. We find that, by standards of OECD countries, the US does well in terms of screening for cancer, survival rates from cancer, survival rates after heart attacks and strokes, and medication of individuals with high levels of blood pressure or cholesterol. We consider in greater depth mortality from prostate cancer and breast cancer, diseases for which effective methods of identification and treatment have been developed and where behavioral factors do not play a dominant role. We show that the US has had significantly faster declines in mortality from these two diseases than comparison countries. We conclude that the low longevity ranking of the United States is not likely to be a result of a poorly functioning health care system.

Suggested Citation

Preston, Samuel H. and Ho, Jessica Y., Low Life Expectancy in the United States: Is the Health Care System at Fault? (August 2009). NBER Working Paper No. w15213, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1444715

Samuel H. Preston (Contact Author)

University of Pennsylvania - Population Studies Center ( email )

3718 Locust Walk
Philadelphia, PA 19104-6298
United States

Jessica Y. Ho

Population Studies Center ( email )

3718 Locust Walk
School of Arts and Sciences
Philadelphia, PA Pennsylvania 19104-6298
United States

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